What broadband ISP?????????Confused

[StarLane]

What internet service provider do you recommend for ADSL/ADSL2 broadband etc??. I would like to connect to one that's reliable and reasonably priced, willing to pay alittle more for reliability. They all seem to require a 12 or 24 month contract so I want to know what companies are the best before I commit.

Who do you guys use???? How much, how fast, what's the download limit, how much extra per mb, and how is the service????...reliablity, outages, do you get slow speeds during peak periods, have they provided everything promised?? etc etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Confused,
Paul.

[Lee]

I've been with iiNet now for about 7 years - always found them to be good value, with few issues.

[Ian Robinson]

They are all rip offs .... and all seem to want you to sign up for telephone as well.

[Glenhuon]

Been with Westnet (recently gone into partnership with IInet) for over 5 years and have no complaints. No need to take the phone bundle if you don't want to (I didn't), but it saves $10 a month on the broadband connection if you do. Avoid that well known phone company like the plague.

Bill

[JethroB76]

aanet and TPG are two that have been good for me.

Have a look on Whirlpool - there are forums there dedicated to the major ISPs and an easy search function to weed out providers based on your needs (speed, DL limits), location etc

Just say no to telstra

[tnbk00]

Ive been with TPG for a couple of years now and it has been pretty good.

I would steer clear of the big telco's (AAPT, Optus and Telstra) their pricing seems to be very unrealistic....and thats coming from someone who worked for one of those companies as a network engineer.

[Omaroo]

I need a static IP address to work from my home when I'm there, so to most ISPs I'm a business customer and pay about $20 a month more than a standard home user across a typical list of plans.

After a truly miserable year with that dead bird company, I'm now with TPG after MUCH research and asking colleagues' opinions who are also in the comms industry, as I am. I'm on an 8Mbps, 18Gbpm plan with a static address for $20 a month LESS than my last plan with that old bird.

Whirlpool seems to rate the top three, pretty consistently, as Internode, iiNet and TPG, so any of these are a pretty safe bet.

Agreed - avoid big blue.

[Starkler]

For adsl2+ I had a choice of Optus, Netspace and TPG. TPG were the only ones that were not forcing a phone bundling plan and still offering competitive rates so i went with them.

I have seen a lot of complaints about the quality of TPG phone support ( I haven't had to use it) , but at least they answer the phone within a couple of minutes, unlike 40 minutes for Netspace.

[TrevorW]

I use Optus ADSL2 bundled with home phone costs $70 a month for 2G download before its shaped and includes all local and interstate phone calls for free. Have had for several months now and never had an issue ie: apart from my daughter using up our quota downloading music.

[DJDD]

TPG (if not bundling phone)


(maybe a poll is required?)

[wasyoungonce]

Many others have mentioned "Whirlpool". It is a good resource for all things DSL. Here's a link to their plan search and FAQs on choosing a provider:

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=Choosing%20a%20Broadband%20Pro vider%20FAQ

http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/?action=search

There is an absolute plethora of providers out there now. There are many plans without 12 months contracts. Your first foray into DSL is sometimes the most difficult so go for a "named company" like: TPG, Internode; iinet; Netspace. Stay away from Bigpond!

Look for a plan that has plenty of download limit. I cannot guess your requirements but don't get a plan that has exorbitant excess usage charges...like Bigpond does. If you read their forum you'll find plenty of posts with monthly excess bill of $k of dollars. So keep away from plans with high excess usage.

A better bet is a plan that "Shapes" your excess usage. That is slows your connection speed if you go over your limits but does not charge you extra.

A good 1st time provider is Internode or TPG. The have good help desk support. Try for at least a 512K plan or faster…256K is too slow.

Lastly look for a provider that has ADSL2+ infrastructure in your local area exchange. Many of these ADSL2+ plans are cheaper than ADSL1 as they do not have to pay use Telstra's line charges and the bonus is you get much faster speeds.

http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/?action=list


Good Luck.

Edit:
I forgot to mention many providers have bundled plans. That is you bundle you internet plan with their telephone service. This is something that I avoid..it's a personal choice.

edit edit:
We use on average 8Gb to 10 Gb a month plus with a family of 3 kids.

[White Rabbit]

I use tpg as well. I had a few problems with them when I first started but they were faults at the exchange and as always telstra was playing dumb. After that go sorted out it was find. It's the cheapest one around I pay 49.95 for 18 gig download. I occasuionally have to reboot the modem about once a month. Other than that they are fine.

With regards to Tech support, I think people will always have a bee in there bonnet when they call for help and it's a call centre somewhere in india or the Philippine's. I found the help line to be just as helpfull as any that read from a script, and they all read from the script. If there steps dont work then it gets esculated. Thats just way tech support works. Most problems would be user error and can be fixed from the script.

[mark3d]

been with internode for 4 years now. had < 4 problems in that time, not a bad average.

[madtuna]

I'm with Optusnet and looking to change,
I sort of get a bit miffed at Raj in New Deli telling me there is no problem at my exchange or in my area when the entire street is without internet.

Raj also tells me I an unable to get Broadband where I am even though I've had it for 3 years.

Raj is awfully polite though, even after frustration sets in and I let fly with a bucket load of profanities.

I think I'll send him a Christmas card this year

[wasyoungonce]

Classic....I love it.:thumbsup:

This is the type of provider help that drives new users to pull their hair out!

I'm with aanet but I think as a new user TPG or internode may be the OPs best option (for a new user).

AAnet's ok but it's really not for new users as their support is lacking. That's fine for me but it would frustrate new users very rapidly.

[snowyskiesau]

As others have mentioned, whirlpool.net.au (http://www.whirlpool.net.au) is the best place to get info on broadband availability and features.
Another site you might find of use is www.adsl2exchanges.com.au (http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au/)
which gives a more detailed map of ADSL speeds available from your local exchange.

[Fox]

Hi StarLane, lots of mention of TPG here, and I will second that. My first ADSL provider was Telstra - not good. Cost me $39.95/month for only a 400MB download limit. But for the same price, TPG gives me a 6GB limit & ADSL2, so there is no comparison.

Despite all my enquiries with Telstra, they were totally inflexible in offering me anything else, until it was too late and I had swapped over to TPG, then Telstra called me up and offered all sorts of 'exceptional' plans to try and get me back. Fox.

[Lee]

Telstra = tossers.
Even when they try to woo you back with their exceptional plans - they are generally still nowhere near the value of the other anyway.... Telstra are for mum and dad users who don't know better.... or for those with no other choice!

[matt]

I wouldn't change a word of that, Lee.

Someone should put that description in the dictionary:lol:

[wasyoungonce]

You'all forgot to include the biggest bottom feeders, "Bigpond" in your profanities!:lol:

[leinad]

Also take into account the other costs such as termination fees; often a $99 termination within 6months, and contract termination fees. Some providers also offer a 12/24 month contract with free modem. Although if you bought the modem outright, contract is not needed. same goes with the setup fee or transfer fee.
If you decide to cancel the contract down the track some providers may make you pay out the remaining months in the contract; others will offer a small termination contract fee ~$99 or something.
I work for an ISP in Perth; and often had to check the other providers pricing and plans when dealing with customers when working in support.

Also check what costs are involved if you want to upgrade the speed of your connection; or change your download quota plan. Speed upgrade costs isnt a factor with ADSL2+ only ADSL; as you have 256/64, 512/128, 512/512, 1.5/256 with ADSL standard. same goes with downgrading.

Dont be afraid also to ask if they will better a plan offered by another ISP.
They may however commit to the offer on conditions; such as a termed contract.

And lastly. If they do offer a discount or matched plan, conditions etc, ensure you get it in writing and confirmed with employees name; etc before signing and submitting your application.
This will save you difficulties down the track if they try to get smart with terms and conditions.

Hope this may help you and others considering broadband also; whether new users or existing. :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

TPG - $59/month ADSL 36Gb Download (18Gb on peak, 18Gb off peak 4am-9am)

Aussienet.com came up as the best equivalent value on Whirlpool site recently ($59/month for 40Gb no on/off peak restriction)

All the best
Doug

[TrevorW]

Sseriously would/does anyone buy Telstra shares nowadays

[Rick Petrie]

TPG for me, however they have been rather slow in their rollout of ADSL2+.
It is mostly only available in the metropolitan areas, but their pricing plans are quite good on all ADSL and ADSL2+ where available.

[Robert_T]

Depends on what service you are discussing. If you are talking wireless broadband and you want the fastest and best then Telstra is the option of choice for many - you pay a premium for it, but Telstra's Next G has nearly 100x the coverage area of any other competitors 3G wireless broadband network and is the fastest in both DL and UL again by a big margin. If you don't need this then fine, but it is a big plus for many business users well beyond the Mum and Dad bracket. I live on this stuff... in fact right now I'm commuting home from work by train and am happily broadbanding IIS via Next G to my heart's content at speeds that better my fixed ISP at home!

cheers,

Rob

[dannat]

iiNet,TPG both ptretty good (occasioanlly tpgc ustomer service people are little slow) - am now with supernerd - quite good service from them.
iinet tad more expensive, but better service,supernerd if you want to save a couple of bucks -supernerd also have voip plans to save on phone calls (need atleast 512k)

[StarLane]

Thats excellent info guys, cheers......

Nothing beats asking people with experience. I'll have a look at Whirlpool also.
I need something at least 512k which people have suggested (but probably will go for something faster) and at least 10gb per month.

Anymore advice???, keep it coming.....Thanks

[wasyoungonce]

One last thing.

Look for a provider that has Fast Churn.

With this you can change between providers hassle free (providers that have Churn) within days..not weeks like normal.... And you won't loose your port at the exchange when changing providers.

I know this may not be high on your list but you may later want to change providers as your needs grow. If they don't have churn, then when you disconnect from a provider, your DSL port at the exchange may be lost to someone waiting for a port. Exchanges can only have so much ports and many exchanges have waiting lists for ports.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I'm with Internode, have been for some time now, and I have to say I have NEVER been happier with an ISP in my fairly long net life.

It isn't the fact that their phone support lines are Aussie manned, or open for longer hours than almost anyone else. It isn't the fact that I have never, ever had a service outage, or that the initial connection was fast and efficient (the 3 days it took the modem to arrive ny post was the longest delay).

It isn't the fact that they offer ADSL / 2+ / Extreme / Naked ADSL (no "phone service" needed as such) and so on plans, with or without Nodephone (VOIP) and so on.
http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/all_plans/

It isn't even really the fact that they offer SO MUCH content that isn't even metered as part of your download, eg almost 100 streaming music channels - you can play music 24 hours a day, every day of the month - you can download anything from their download mirrors: their own Internode download mirror, a Sourceforge mirror, a Steam mirror, a Major Geeks mirror, you can download from the "OfTheWorldTV" site, etc, etc, and every bit of the download is "unmetered" against your download limit as an ADSL customer. They also have their own "Games Network" server(s) ....
http://www.internode.on.net/residential/tech_space/unmetered_content/
:thumbsup:


APART from all of this, it's more the overall "vibe" of the company, they really are doing what they can to provide services that customers want, as effectively and inexpensively as possible, and keep it all easy and hassle free.


GO the Node!! :P


(No, not affiliated in any way except for being a Very Happy Customer indeed!)

[andyman]

I have one month left on a 24 month contract with telstra


and cant wait unil its over then im gone there crap:shrug:

[cpoc]

I too am with Internode. About a year ago I had to move home (see moved in with my partner) and so had to transfer my account from my old phone number to the new one... well it turned out that wasn't so easy (which was actually because the home phone at the new place was with Optus who are apparently very fussy with which ISP's are allowed on their lines... which equates to themselves and very few others).

But eventually got it up and running (yes on a Telstra home line but that's no big issue for me)... the biggest benefit... for the whole 2 or 3 months not using ADSL they weren't charging me... Well they may have been charging me a small fee akin to dialup or a reserve sort of fee to keep my email address and such but certainly nothing like a 3 month ADSL bill... that was all without me asking them... they must have just seen that I was not pulling any data at all over the line and so didn't charge me.

But as was mentioned above they just have a great vibe about them... I mean what other ISP has a support line that when you call, gives you an option to leave your number and they will call you back when an operator is available (you go into a que as soon as you call... which can be a long or short que obviously depending on conditions).

Great service and I too have never really had any outage problems... certainly nothing that lasted more than a short period of time (in fact the only problem I can remember was actually due to the phone lines to our house being so old they needed replacing... which was done by Telstra post haste).

So yes... I'd be happy to recommend Internode.

[Louwai]

TPG for me. Have been with them for about 11yrs now.

Currently have unlimited download with static IP address for $80/mth.

I can't even check my mthly usage in my account. It just says "unlimited". They don't seem to bother keep a recorde of it.

[Davros]

TPG at $68 a month 150gig download ADSL 2+, Telstra offered us 8 gig a month for the same price to get us to stay with them. Hah not likely.

[madtuna]

"Dear stephen ,

Thank you for choosing TPG as your ADSL provider. We are pleased to inform you that your registration has been received and is being processed. The standard period for ADSL service installation is from 3 to 5 working days, customers who have paid via direct debit please allow additional time to process your registration."


bye bye craptusnet! :D

[GrahamL]

I still recall our one and only experiance with big puddle on a dial up plan nearlly 10 years back..You couldn't log into the network at peak times 7am-7pm LOL..when I rang to complain I was told I would have to pay extra for a premium service:screwy:..it was seriously that bad to load this single page would of taken more than half an hour..sometimes not at all

[johnno]

Yes,
And I totally agree.

About to change from OPT**N*T,
to
EX*T*L.

I Pay $41.95 Per Month for OPT**N*T,512/128 2GB peak,4 gb off Peak

My Mate,

Steered me towards ExE*T*L,

He Has been with them for the last 3 years.

$45.00 per Month,1500/256, 6 GB peak,48 GB,off peak.

New Email Address soon.

Regards.
John

[JethroB76]

When I went VOIP, Telstra rang and said "hey why you no ring no more?" and offered similar excellent deals to win me back..I just laughed

[MrB]

I'm still on dialup, a personal mini-rebellion, for one very good reason,
Australians are getting seriously ripped off!

There was a news report a few months back of a worldwide study(wish I could find it :rolleyes:) that basically said that Australians had the worst broadband in the world for speed and price.

It's kinda like with petrol, if everyone bought from the cheapest station, all the other stations would lose business and then there would be a price war for who's got the cheapest petrol.

Unfortunatelly, the number of people that just don't care enough(the ones that whinge about high petrol prices but do nothing to actually go out of their way to buy the cheapest, the same people that pay $5 for a bottle of coke from the same station! :shrug:), means we all get ripped off.

I always buy from the cheapest station in my area(listed on Fuelwatch website 24h before), even if I actually get no benefit because I have to drive further to get it, they are rewarded for their low price by getting my custom.

I haven't seen a single broadband service that is realistic, so dialup it is.
My dialup is cheap($20), unlimited(how much can you DL/month on 56k? hahaha, tho I still sometimes get over 2gig), no-contract(pay-by-the-month) and was that way loooong before broadband came on the scene, so is not due to it becoming an 'obsolete' service.

Contract are, in my mind, anti-competetive nature, it restricts people going to a better service... How many times have I read/heard "as soon as my contract is over..."

If everyone boycotted broadband because we're forced to have download limits, 12/24month contracts, hidden costs etc. the providers would have to do some drastic measures to get customers, possibly even going to a similar structure to that which existed in the dialup days, but alas, no-one cares enough. :shrug:
Too many people just pay-n-play.

/end rant ;)

edit: Before anyone asks, my mobile phone is also on a cheap($10) no-contract(pay-by-the-month) 'plan'.
edit2: Just checked my usage, 2.55Gig so far this month... on 56k.

[dugnsuz]

Now with Adam internet in Adelaide (adam.com.au)...
1500k plan with 40GB d/load (no on/off peak nonsense!)
Doug